Newcastle United have reached a second Carabao Cup final in three seasons after beating Arsenal at St James’ Park.
It was a night to remember for Newcastle United fans who saw their team reach another Carabao Cup final. This time, they will be hoping that Eddie Howe’s side can go all the way when they head to Wembley in March.
Howe has the opportunity to win Newcastle’s first trophy since 1969 and their first domestic trophy since 1955. Newcastle’s convincing win against Arsenal was a sign that the Magpies can perform at a high standard against the more favoured opponents from the ‘big six’, they will take on Liverpool in the final.
Newcastle fans hilariously mocked Mikel Arteta after the Gunners boss blamed the ball for the defeat in the first leg. Club legend Alan Shearer made fun of Arsenal’s defence to Ian Wright.
The belief is that Newcastle are in a much better position with their squad this time around – the additions of Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon and Lewis Hall in particular are sure to strike fear in whoever they play against.
Newcastle lost 2-0 to Manchester United in 2023, here are the 11 players that started the game.
GK – Loris Karius
After signing on a free transfer in 2022, the Carabao Cup final would be Loris Karius’ debut for Newcastle. The German goalkeeper had played in a Champions League final, so this would have been a walk in the park for him.
Karius held his own but conceded twice to a Casimero header and an own goal from Sven Botman. After being released by Newcastle in the summer of 2024, Karius now plays for 2. Bundesliga side Schalke – he is yet to make an appearance for the former Bundesliga champions.
RB – Kieran Trippier
A longstanding member of the team, Kieran Trippier is the first of eight starters still at the club. At the time, Trippier was Newcastle’s captain and led the team out at Wembley Stadium.
Both of Man United’s goals came from Trippier’s side of the pitch, but the 34-year-old played the full 90 minutes in defeat.
Trippier was a driving force for Newcastle’s win against Arsenal at St James’ Park, constantly hustling the Gunners’ attackers and getting inside their heads. Newcastle fans will be hoping he can do the same if he plays in the final.
CB – Fabian Schar
Fabian Schar has aged like a fine wine at Newcastle. At 33 years old, the defender looks as good as ever under Howe.
The Swiss international played all of the defeat at Wembley and was shown a yellow card in the dying stages of the game. Schar’s contract is up at the end of the season, but Howe is keen to keep the defender at the club for another year at least.
Schar was suspended for the first leg against Arsenal but came back into Newcastle’s first-team squad to deliver an emphatic performance in the second leg.
CB – Sven Botman
The Dutch defender has just returned from a lengthy spell on the sidelines with an ACL injury. Botman had some misfortune in the Carabao Cup final.
Botman scored an own goal in the first half to effectively hand Man United the trophy the 24-year-old was then booked in the second half but saw the whole game out, making 11 recoveries and winning five of his six aerial duels.
LB – Dan Burn
The Carabao Cup final meant a lot to Dan Burn due to his links to the club. Unfortunately, the tall and powerful defender could not achieve his dream of lifting a trophy for his boyhood team.
Burn played the full 90 minutes in defeat at left-back, a position he does not usually go to thanks to Hall’s arrival on Tyneside.
It was a game to forget for Burn after being dribbled past four times and losing 10 of his 13 duels.
The 32-year-old played in both legs of the semi-final against Arsenal, keeping two clean sheets.
CM – Joelinton
Despite being on the losing end, Joelinton gave it his all for Newcastle in his 90 minutes.
The Brazilian missed the second leg of the 2025 semi-final against Arsenal through injury. However, Joelinton was caught wearing a retro Newcastle shirt while sitting next to the dugout during the win.
In the 2023 final, Joelinton was booked before half time for the only foul he committed in the game. The 28-year-old finished the game with 88% pass accuracy (37/42).
CM – Bruno Guimaraes
Fans may remember that Bruno Guimaraes dyed his hair blonde with a black and white heart on the side for the cup final – he could do the same for the 2025 final.
Since the defeat at Wembley, Guimaraes has been named Newcastle’s captain and has done an excellent job with his new responsibility. The 27-year-old has the opportunity to become the first Newcastle captain to lift a trophy since 1969.
In the 2023 final, Guimaraes played 79 minutes but was the most fouled player in the match (three), was the most accurate passer (90%), and won the most ground duels (nine).
CM – Sean Longstaff
Things have gotten much more quiet for Sean Longstaff this season, he has not enjoyed nearly as many appearances for the Magpies. Longstaff’s time at Newcastle could soon be up with his place in the starting XI now occupied by Tonali.
The 27-year-old played just 45 minutes in the Carabao Cup final defeat in 2023 where he completed 11 of his 14 pass attempts, created one chance and lost his only duel.
Longstaff was a late substitute against Arsenal in the semi-final of the 2024/25 competition.
LW – Allan Saint-Maximin
Former Newcastle winger Allan Saint-Maximin had the Magpies best opportunity of the game when he found space inside the penalty area in the first half. His effort was parried by David De Gea and Man United would open the scoring shortly after.
Saint-Maximin saw out the rest of the season with Newcastle before moving to Saudi Pro League side Al-Alhi in the summer. The move did not fully work out for him and he is now on loan at Fenerbahce who is managed by Jose Mourinho.
The 27-year-old has scored three goals and bagged two assists in 16 Turkish Super Lig appearances.
ST – Callum Wilson
It has been a disappointing season for Callum Wilson who has struggled with constant injury problems. The 32-year-old played 89 minutes in the Carabao Cup final but failed to make an impact, his one effort in the game was easily blocked.
Wilson returned as a second-half substitute in the win against Arsenal, a sign that he could be fully behind his injury problems.
The England international is out of contract at the end of the season, but there is no sign of whether Howe will choose to extend his deal past this season.
RW – Miguel Almiron
Miguel Almiron enjoyed a good run out at Wembley for the 2023 final, playing 89 minutes. The Paraguayan was part of Newcastle’s cup run this season as well, playing in four games.
In the final, the 30-year-old did not complete any dribbles, won four of his duels, was fouled twice and created one shot.
Almiron found minutes hard to come by this season and, as a result, was sold back to Atlanta United in the January transfer window after six years on Tyneside.
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